Charles p



(No Model.)

0. P. YOUNG. TROUSERS CLAMP.

No. 598,459. Patented Feb. 1, 1898.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES P. YOUNG, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

TROUSERS-CLAM P.

SIEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 598,459, dated February1, 1898.

Application filed June 30, 1897. Serial No. 643,010. (No model.)

- ing had therein to the accompanying drawings, in Wlll(3h Figures 1, 2,and 3 represent perspective views showing the manner of applying theclasp when used to convert ordinary trousers.

into bicycle or golf trousers; Fig. 4,a plan view showing the clampattached to a trousers-leg,

the cloth of the trousers-leg being shown in section; Fig. 5, a similarview of the clamp detached; Fig. 6, a transverse section on the line 6 6of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a side view of their clamp, and Fig. 8 a perspectiveview showing the clasp used to clamp the trousers around the lower partof the leg.

The object of this invention is to provide'a simple removable clamp forthe use of bicycle-riders in holding the slack fold of their trousersclose to the leg while riding; and its essential feature lies in thefact that it is capable of use in clamping. the trousers-leg around theleg near the top of the shoe in the ordinary way and also in clampingand folding the ends of the trousers-leg at a point just below the kneesof the rider to convert the ordinary long trousers into bicycle or golftrousers, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

The form of device shown in the accompanying drawings consists of asingle band a, of spring metal, coiled in .the manner of a convolutespring. One end of the band is provided with a clasp b to clamp the foldof the trousersrleg. The band makes about two complete coils, the coilslying against each other and being made concave in cross-section to keepthem in alinement when the spring is expanded. In its normal conditionthe free end of the spring terminates upon the outside of the outer coil0pposite,or nearly opposite, the fold-clasp. The clasp is in the form ofa ring, with the coils lying close together, and the fold-clasp b isformed by bending back upon itself the inner extremity of thespring-band. Suitable portions of the.

upper and lower edges of the band are serrated, as at c, in order toprevent the clamp from slipping off the trousers-leg.

The manner of using the clamp for converting long trousers intobicycle-trousers is as follows: The lower end of the trousers-leg isfirst-turned or rolled up, then the fold-claspb is engaged in the slackfold of the trousersleg, as shown in Fig. l, and then the clasp isspread apart and its free end is passed around the leg, the coils beingallowed to come normally together one upon the other. The wearer thensimply draws up the trousers-leg over his calf until it reaches theposition shown in Fig. 2. Then the loose or surplus part of thetrousers-leg is folded down, so as to hide the clamp, as shown in Fig.3. It will be observed that as theclamp is drawn up over the swell ofthe calf it will be automatically expanded and the necessary quantity ofcloth required to envelop the larger part of the calf will be drawn outfrom the folded part under the fold-clasp. The clamp being transverselyconvexed, the coils will open out or expand without slipping ofi eachother as the trousers-leg is drawn up over the calf,

and the serrations will engage the cloth of the trousers-leg and preventthe clamp from bodily slipping off the lower edge of the trousers-leg.It will be observed also that the fold-clasp will be closely hugged bythe outer coil-of the clamp, thereby pressing it against the leg of thewearer and keeping the fold of the trousers-leg in place, permitting thefold to pull out as the trousers-leg is drawn up.

In Fig. 8 the device is shown used as an ordinary leg-clasp, folding andclasping the trousers near the shoe-top. It will thus be seen that thedevice is capable of serving also as an ordinary leg-clasp, whereby itsvalue to the rider will be greatly increased.

It will be observed that an essential feature of this invention lies inserrating one or both (preferably both) edges of the band. These teethengage into the cloth of the trousers over the calf, the teeth on thatportion of the band covered by the. inner coil coming into engagementwith the trousers as fast as they become uncovered by passing off theend of said inner coil. If these teeth were not used, a stronger bandwould have to be employed to prevent slipping off the trousers-leg,which would obviously be seriously objectionable.

It will also be seen that the feature of bending the band incross-section throughout its length is important in that it serves thepurpose of keeping the overlapped coils in alinej.

ment as they expand and slide upon each other in passing up over thecalf. It is also important that the band be formed into approximatelytwo complete coils in order that there will always be portions of thecoils overlapped during passage up over the calf, except of course whenused on unusually large limbs. It is essential also that the ends of theband be free in order that it may be opened out and wrapped around theleg.

If the band be strong enough and the teeth effectively formed, it isobvious that the foldclasp can be omitted.

Having thus fully described my invention,

cloth-engaging teeth and being bent in crosssection approximatelythroughout its length, so that the coil will be kept in alinement whilebeing expanded, as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES P. YOUNG.

Witnesses:

J os. H. STRAWBRIDGE, RAYMOND P. SHERWOOD.

